Bored this summer? 6 fun staycation activities within an hour of Norwich

With multiple states within an hour’s drive of Norwich, there is plenty to do in the area this summer.

And whether you are an outdoors person or a sports fan, you are sure to find fun not too far from Norwich this summer.  In addition to fun being close to home, there is plenty to do this summer without breaking the bank. Get ready to build lasting memories without hurting your wallet.

So, make sure your gas tank is full and you have plenty of water. Here are some fun things to do this summer within an hour’s drive of Norwich.

Lyman Orchards sunflower maze, Middlefield, Connecticut: Opening date, hours, ticket cost

Lyman Orchards announced that its annual sunflower maze will open on July 27. Nearly one mile of paths surrounded by 350,000 yellow, orange and red sunflowers make up a design based on the logo for Hartford’s Double-A minor league baseball team, the Yard Goats.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur at 9 a.m. on the opening day of the sunflower maze. The Hartford Yard Goats mascot, Chompers, will be there from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to take photos with maze-goers.

The three-acre maze will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and runs from July 27 to Aug. 25. The maze offers visitors the opportunity to see butterflies, yellow finches, and a scenic backdrop of the orchard hills.

Admission to the sunflower maze is $11 for adults and $6 for children ages four to 12. Children under the age of three will be admitted for free.

In addition to walking through the sunflower maze, visitors may cut their own sunflowers for $4 per stalk at the maze location in a separate field.

Worcester Red Sox, Worcester, Massachusetts: Ticket costs, players and more

Speaking of baseball, you can see the future Boston Red Sox players in Worcester this summer at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Worcester Red Sox, the top minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, offer tickets starting at $9 for adults ages 13 and over. Current Boston Red Sox players Brayan Bello, Jarren Duran and Connor Wong have all played for the Worcester Red Sox.

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Aquarium has more than just fish.

Over 300 different species of animals call Mystic Aquarium home among these animals are Beluga Whales, California Sea Lions and African Penguins, according to their website.

Ticket prices vary. The further in advance a ticket is purchased, the cheaper it is. In addition, dates with less demand are priced lower than peak season dates. Tickets can be purchased on the Mystic Aquarium website.

Mystic Aquarium was voted as one of the top 10 aquariums in a USA Today 10Best poll. USA Today 10Best, which is owned by the same parent company as The Norwich Bulletin, is a travel and lifestyle website. In every category, nominees are submitted by experts, then narrowed down by editors and voted on by readers to determine the final rankings.

See why it ranked. Mystic Aquarium named one of the best in the country by USA Today.

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Mashantucket, Connecticut

The museum features dioramas and exhibits that document the history of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Advance tickets for adults ages 18 to 64 are $22. Tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website or at the front desk in the lobby of the museum.

Lebanon Country Fair, Lebanon, Connecticut

The Lebanon Country Fair will take place from July 26-28 and features a little something for everyone. Attractions include horse and oxen pulls, rides, fireworks, home and garden exhibits as well as fair food. Daily admission is $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased on the fair’s website.

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New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut

The New Britain Museum of American Art collection represents more than three centuries of the major artists and movements of American art, according to their website. The website also says the museum has more than 8,400 paintings, works on paper, sculptures, videos and photographs. Tickets cost $20 for adults and can be purchased at either the museum or on their website.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Summer things to do near Norwich CT: 6 staycation ideas within an hour